NYC Thanksgiving Parade: History in Pictures

A large outdoor float of Captain Nemo makes its way down the street during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 28, 1929. Originally known as the Macy's Christmas Parade, the Thanksgiving Day parade started in 1924 by retailer’s employees - the first-generation immigrants from Europe, who wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving the way it was done back home.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade passes down Broadway in New York on Nov. 27, 1930. The event is famous for the giant balloons which debuted in 1927.

An outdoor float of a big cat makes its way down a street during the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 26, 1931.

Superman rises over Times Square to lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1940.

Radio City Music Hall’s Rockettes performing in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York on Nov. 27, 1958. Some of the police-estimated 1,250,000 that watched the parade keep an eye on the dancers as they approach 34th Street and Broadway, near the end of the march.

Popeye floats above some of the 1,300,000 people watching the 33rd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade pass through Times Square, New York, November 26, 1959

Comedian Jimmy Durante rides on a 'Jumbo the elephant' float during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 22, 1962

Betty Boop collapses on Broadway near 49th Street as handlers work to raise the deflated helium balloon during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, Thursday, Nov. 27, 1986. Betty Boop, the last balloon in the parade, could not finish the journey.

The Pink Panther, a new addition to the cast of balloon characters in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, floats above Broadway in New York City, Thursday, Nov. 24, 1988

Kermit the Frog droops after a puncture in his head lets out the oxygen-helium mixture in the balloon during the 65th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, Thursday, Nov. 28, 1991

Five-year-old Lauren Hunter of Mobile, Al., third from right; 8-year-old Cassie Burton of Atlanta, Ga., second from right ; and 11-year-old Alexandria Thompson, of Vacaville, Ca., right, can't seem to control their enthusiasm as the Spider-Man balloon makes its way down Broadway during Macy's 69th annual Thanksgiving Day parade in New York Thursday, Nov. 23, 1995. The three girls got the opportunity to see the parade in person after winning their age group in a pageant.

The Rugrats balloon floats through New York's Times Square during the Macy's 71st Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 27, 1997. Winds of up to 40 mph kept the volunteer balloon handlers busy. At least one million spectators lined the 2-mile parade route, city officials said.

Police and other emergency workers hold two 54-foot flag banners, meant to represent the World Trade Center towers when seen from the air, during the 75th annual Thanksgiving Day parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001. An increased show of patriotism was evident in this year's parade, which was awash with heroes and hero worshippers.

Minden Taketa, 14, of Oahu, Hawaii, right, plays the flute with Hawaii's Roosevelt High School Marching Band, as they make their way down New York's Broadway during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade Thursday Nov. 27, 2003, in New York.

The "Chicken Little" balloon floats down Broadway during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005

A band marches through Times Square during Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009

Occupy Wall Street protestors show they disapprove of police demanding that drums not be played in Zuccotti park due to a noise complaint from nearby residents on Thanksgiving day, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, in New York. Although the crowd insisted they had a right to play, the drummer in question opted to refrain from playing to avoid a confrontation with police.

A giant Snoopy balloon is marched through Columbus Circle during the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013.

Police motorcade leading the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014.

The Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger makes his legendary debut at the 88th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014.

Performers with the Red Hot Mamas troupe march past Radio City Music Hall along Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014.

A spectator watches from the barricades as police officers stand guard at an intersection during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014.

The SpongeBob SquarePants balloon makes its wasy down Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014.